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Sarasota doctor named 'Public Health Hero'

As part of a statewide celebrations in recognition of the 125th anniversary of Public Health in Florida, a Sarasota County doctor has been named a "Public Health Hero."

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County joined communities around the state Thursday celebrating the milestone anniversary. The statewide theme is, "Florida Public Health - always improving quality of life."

Each Florida County identified a "Public Health Hero." The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County chose Mark J. Magenheim, MD, MPH for the top honor.

For decades Maggenheim has been a public health leader, educator, advocate and proponent for evidence-based public health activities, making a profound impact on human health and quality of life in Sarasota County. Maggenheim's initiatives included access to safe drinking water and foods, better air quality, child and adult immunizations and other preventive measures against infectious diseases, sanitation advances, accident prevention, reduction of tobacco use, enhanced nutrition, and prenatal and infant care, as well as health and wellness promotion.

Magenheim served as the Health Department's director when HIV/AIDS came to the forefront in the 1980s. He pioneered efforts to reduce the stigma in the early days of the epidemic through education and community engagement. During a visit to Sarasota in 1989, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop presented Magenheim with the U.S. Surgeon General's Medallion of Excellence and the Public Health Service Certificate of Appreciation "for service as a model for the Nation's Health Officers."